What hidden cameras look like and where people hide them
A hidden camera is any recording device placed where you would not expect to find one — usually without your knowledge or permission. They range from tiny pinhole lenses (smaller than a pencil tip) to full cameras disguised as everyday objects like smoke detectors, phone chargers, clocks, or picture frames. The smallest ones can fit inside a button or pen.
People hide cameras in places where they expect privacy: bedrooms, bathrooms, hotel rooms, Airbnb rentals, and changing rooms. In homes, common hiding spots are shelves facing the bed, nightstands, air vents, or plants. In bathrooms, they go in soap dispensers, shampoo bottles, or behind mirrors. In hotel rooms, check the space above the bed, the desk area, and anywhere a camera would have a clear view of the bed or bathroom entrance.
Hidden cameras fall into two categories: wired (plugged into power, harder to hide but more reliable) and wireless (battery-powered or connected to WiFi, easier to hide but need charging or a network connection). Wireless cameras are more common in short-term rentals because they do not require visible cables.
Key Takeaways
- Look for small lenses, which appear as dark dots or pinpricks, often in objects that face the bed or bathroom — this is the fastest way to spot a camera by eye.
- Use your phone's camera to scan for infrared light, which many hidden cameras emit; turn off the lights and look for red or purple dots on your phone screen.
- A WiFi analyzer app can detect wireless cameras connected to the network, though it will not tell you where the physical device is located.
- Check for suspicious objects that do not belong, are pointed at private areas, or have small holes or lenses you can see up close.
- If you find a camera, photograph it without moving it, leave the room, and contact the police or the property manager — do not attempt to remove or disable it yourself.
Scanning with your phone camera for infrared light
Most hidden cameras, especially wireless ones, use infrared LEDs to see in the dark. Your phone's camera sensor can detect infrared light that your eyes cannot. This is one of the fastest ways to spot a camera in a dark room.
Turn off the lights and close the curtains. Open your phone's camera app and point it slowly around the room, paying special attention to shelves, nightstands, plants, and anything facing the bed or bathroom. Look at your phone screen for small red or purple dots or glowing spots. If you see one, move closer to identify what object it is coming from. Not every infrared light is a camera — some come from TV remotes, motion sensors, or air purifiers — but it narrows your search significantly.
This method works best in complete darkness and on phones with older camera sensors; newer phones sometimes filter out infrared light automatically. If you do not see anything on the first pass, try a different phone or ask someone else to scan the room with theirs.
Looking for visible lenses and suspicious objects
Many hidden cameras have a lens that is visible if you look closely. Lenses appear as small dark circles or pinpricks, often shiny or reflective. They are usually smaller than a pencil eraser. Scan the room systematically: start at eye level and work up and down, checking shelves, picture frames, clocks, smoke detectors, and air vents.
Pay attention to objects that seem out of place or are pointed directly at the bed or bathroom door. A picture frame hung at an odd angle, a plant that was not there before, or a USB charger in an unusual location are worth examining. Get close and look for a small hole or lens. Use your phone's flashlight to shine at an angle across the object — a lens will often catch the light and become more visible.
In hotel rooms and rentals, check the space above the bed (where a camera would have a clear view), the desk area, and the bathroom entrance. Look inside smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms by removing them from the wall if possible — many hidden cameras are placed there because people do not examine these devices closely.
Using a WiFi analyzer to find wireless cameras
Wireless hidden cameras connect to WiFi to transmit video. A WiFi analyzer app can show you all devices connected to the network, though it will not tell you which device is a camera or where it is physically located.
Download a free WiFi analyzer app like WiFi Analyzer (Android) or Airport Utility (iOS). Open the app and scan for connected devices. Look for unfamiliar device names or MAC addresses — they often have generic names like "IP Camera," "Wireless Camera," or a string of numbers. If you see a device you do not recognize and cannot account for, it may be a hidden camera.
This method only works if the camera is connected to the WiFi network you are scanning. Some cameras use their own private network or a cellular connection, which this method will not detect. Also, a WiFi analyzer cannot tell you whether a device is actually a camera or just an unknown smart device like a thermostat or speaker.
Checking for wired cameras and power sources
Wired cameras need a power source, so look for cables running to objects in suspicious locations. Follow cables from power outlets to see where they lead. A cable running to a picture frame, clock, or smoke detector is worth investigating.
Examine power outlets themselves — some hidden cameras are disguised as outlet covers or USB chargers. Look at any USB charger in the room: does it have a lens? Is it heavier than a normal charger? Plug it in and see if it has any lights or indicators that suggest it is recording.
Check behind furniture and along baseboards for cables you cannot account for. In hotel rooms, look behind the TV, under the desk, and along the headboard. Wired cameras are less common in short-term rentals because they require visible installation, but they are still used in some situations.
What to do if you find a camera
If you find a camera, do not touch it or attempt to disable it. Photograph it in place (including the surrounding area so you can describe the location) and leave the room immediately. Do not confront anyone or accuse anyone of placing it.
Contact the police and provide them with the photograph and location. If you are in a hotel or rental, also contact the property manager or owner, but do this after calling the police. The police will decide whether to investigate and may need to collect the device as evidence. In some cases, they will ask you to leave it in place while they arrange to retrieve it.
If you are in a rental property, you may also want to contact the platform (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) to report the incident. Document everything: the date, time, location, and what you found. Keep your photographs and any communication with the property or police.
Limits of detection methods and when to call professionals
No single method catches every hidden camera. Infrared scanning misses cameras without infrared LEDs. WiFi analysis misses wired cameras and cameras on private networks. Visual inspection misses cameras in walls or very small devices. The most thorough approach combines all three methods.
If you are concerned about a specific location (a rental you plan to stay in multiple times, a workplace, or a home where you suspect surveillance), consider hiring a professional bug sweep service. These services use specialized equipment like RF (radio frequency) detectors that can find both wired and wireless cameras. They are expensive (typically $200 to $500 for a single room) but are more reliable than DIY methods for thorough detection.
For most situations — a one-time hotel stay or Airbnb rental — the methods above are sufficient. If you find nothing after a careful search, the risk is low. If you do find something, report it to police and the property owner immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a regular flashlight instead of my phone camera to find infrared cameras?
No. Your eyes cannot see infrared light, so a flashlight will not help you spot it. You need a camera sensor to detect infrared. Your phone's camera is the easiest tool because you already have it with you.
What if I find a device I think is a camera but I am not sure?
Photograph it and note its location. If it is in a rental or hotel, describe it to the property manager without accusing anyone. If you are in your own home and do not recognize the object, you can safely remove it and examine it more closely or dispose of it. If you believe it is a camera, contact police.
Do all hidden cameras use WiFi?
No. Some cameras use cellular connections, their own private networks, or are purely wired with no internet connection. WiFi analysis will only find cameras connected to your network, so it is not a complete detection method.
Is it illegal to have a hidden camera in a rental property?
Yes, in most places. Recording someone in a private space without consent is illegal. Laws vary by state and country, but hidden cameras in bedrooms and bathrooms are universally illegal. If you find one, report it to police.
Should I tell the property owner I found a camera before calling police?
No. Call police first. The property owner may be the person who placed it, or they may try to remove it before police can investigate. Let police decide when and how to contact the property owner.